Why Modern Africa & Asia???

1. Typically, you haven’t learned about them elsewhere Historically, “world” history = western history

2. Globalization = they’ve become hugely important Asia – developing quickly into: economic powers (China and India … BRIC) Africa – unfortunately not developing so quickly … but region of interest for: investment (ex. China) humanitarian intervention and aid (ex. Darfur) Middle East!!!!

Created January 1, 2009 “Hot” Spots Right Now

China Economic growth (BRIC) Government – democracy? Tibet Olympics

Thailand November 2008 – Antigovernment protestors take over the main airport in Bangkok

India Economic growth (BRIC) Terror in Mumbai vs. Pakistan Nov – Taj Mahal Hotel, set ablaze by terrorists

Pakistan vs. India (ex. Kashmir) Islamic terrorists the “wild west” tumultuous politics (Musharraf, Bhutto) Pres. Asif Ali Zardari (pres. since Sept. 2008

Israel/Palestine The Economist KAL Cartoon 19 June 2008

Iraq

Iran Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Afghanistan Pres. Bush and Afghan Pres. Hamid Karzai Afghan youths and a U.S. soldier

Sudan  Janjaweed militias accused of ethnic cleansing

Zimbabwe CHOLERA FIGURES SINCE AUGUST December Deaths: 1,564 Cases: 29,131 1 December Deaths: 484 Cases: 11, 735 Cases in December 68% A man dug a grave at a cemetery in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital. A cholera epidemic has stricken > 16,000 people since August and killed > 780.

Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC) Laurent Nkunda

South Africa Jacob Zuma ANC leader and frontrunner for 2009 presidential election

Nigeria Africa’s most populous country, largest oil producer, 2 nd largest economy religious violence Niger River Delta political corruption Dec – disputed election in Jos set off spate of Christian- Muslim violence

Somalia political anarchy Islamic militancy warlords conflict with Ethiopia poverty / famine piracy Somali militiamen, armed with AK-47s